The Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested former Director General of the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) Mzalendo Kibunja.
Kibunja was arrested on Monday, April 15, 2024, alongside three others over the loss of over Ksh490 million at NMK through a fraudulent scheme entailing payment of salaries to ghost workers for over five years.
According to EACC, the money would subsequently be transferred to senior officials.
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The suspects are detained at EACC Integrity Centre police station pending arraignment on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
"The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has, today, arrested four suspects to be charged with embezzlement of Ksh490,000,000 at the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) between the Financial Years 2015/2016 and 2021/2022," EACC Deputy CEO Abdi Mohamud said.
The arrested suspects include Mzalendo Nyaga Kibunja (former Director General, NMK), Oliver Okinyi Rabuor (ICT officer, payroll section), Wycliffe Odhiambo Ongata (accountant, payroll section) and Oscar Mwaura (alleged ghost employee recruiter)
"Investigations commenced after the commission received a report that the NMK officials were embezzling public funds through irregular payment of salaries to ghost employees, which were later transferred to senior officials. Upon conclusion of the investigations, the commission submitted the file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) who concurred with the Commission's recommendations to charge suspects," Mohamud added.
"The suspects are currently in custody at EACC Integrity Centre police station pending arraignment before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court on Tuesday, 16th April 2024, at 8:30 am."
Charges against Kibunja and team
They will be charged with conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption contrary to Section 47A (3) as read with Section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economics Crime Act No. 3 of 2003.
Other charges facing the suspects include abuse of office contrary to Section 46, as read with Section 48(1), of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act No. 3 of 2003, unlawful acquisition of public property contrary to Section 45(1 )ia) as read with Section 48(1), of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act No. 3 of 2003 and acquisition of proceeds of crime contrary to Section 4 as read with section 16 of Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act No. 51 of 2012.
The suspects will also be charged with money laundering contrary to Section 3(a) as read with Section 16 of Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act No. 51 of 2012 and financial misconduct contrary to Section 197(1)(1) as read with Section 199 of the Public Finance Management Act no. of 2012.
"One suspect, Mr Stanvas Ongalo Opijah - Director, Human Resource and AdministraHon, who is yet to be arrested is hereby directed to immediately report to EACC Headquarters located at the Integrity Centre Building, at the junction of Valley and Jakaya Kikwete Roads or the nearest EACC regional office, without fail," Mohamud added.
